Chemical Peels

The skin protects the body in a variety of ways, acting as a shield against elements that can affect overall well-being. Skin health also has a powerful impact on how individuals view themselves — unhealthy-looking skin can create negative feelings about appearance.

Skin resurfacing techniques can help patients achieve the youthful look they desire to restore their confidence. Skin resurfacing can be done through many modalities, including chemical peels. Great for exfoliating the skin, the chemical peel technique removes dead skin cells, debris, and other imperfections, showcasing the beauty that lies below the surface.

People in Central Texas can receive chemical peel treatments from Dr. Charles Guy and his team. Located in Waco, TX, Facial Plastic Surgery of Central Texas offers top-of-the-line patient-centric care for a wide range of advanced cosmetic services. The dedicated team has built a strong reputation for delivering compassionate care and effective results.

This 30-40 y/o female had a Jessner/35% TCA peel performed to lighten freckling to help mask previous scars.

A chemical peel is a proven procedure in which a chemical solution is applied to the skin to remove damaged skin cells and address several concerns, such as wrinkles, scars, and sun spots. Chemical peels come in various forms, containing different types of acids that have varying depths of skin penetration.

Superficial peels have little to no downtime and can make the skin look refreshed by removing part of the epithelium (the outermost skin cells). Medium-depth peels get through the epidermis and to the outermost layers of the dermis (the part of the skin that gives it strength and thickness). Deep-depth chemical peels go deeper into the dermis and therefore require a greater amount of healing. It is the new collagen formation in the dermis that helps tighten the skin and improve wrinkles and pigment changes.

Chemical peeling is generally performed in the office at Facial Plastic Surgery of Central Texas, but some deeper peels may need to be administered in the state-of-the-art operating room. Patients receiving a chemical peel or skin resurfacing procedure around their mouth will be given an oral antiviral (valacyclovir) medication 2 days before the procedure.

Clients should expect erythema (redness) to the treated area that lightens up to a pink and then slowly fades back to their normal skin tone. There will be crusts that develop in the treated area that peel off on their own. This can last several days. There may be some clear yellow weeping from the treated area.

As healing progresses, the skin will become more resilient, but this may take two to three months for deep peels. Most people agree the results are worth the inconvenience. Occasionally, the treated area can be lighter than the surrounding skin. There will be swelling in the area that improves with time. The area may feel tight but usually softens within weeks to months. Itching is common during the healing process.

Post-Procedure Step

After a chemical peel, clients need to continue to take care of their skin to achieve the best results. Before patients leave the facility, the team provides patients with detailed instructions on how to properly care for the treated area after their procedure. Best practice recommendations include:

• Keep the area moist with a thin layer of Aquaphor at all times for the first 10 to 14 days. This may need to be applied every few hours.
• Do not place makeup on the area until cleared, as this can slow the healing.
• It is good to shower and let the water run down the treated area.
• Use only non-scented baby shampoo or CeraVe hydrating cleanser.
• Avoid being in the sun and start wearing a facial moisturizer with sunscreen after being cleared by Dr. Guy.

Facial Plastic Surgery of Central Texas also advises patients to adhere to the following restrictions:

• Do not submerge your head in water (swim) for 3 weeks after surgery.
• Do not use tobacco products, smoke, or be around smoke.
• Do not use any facial scrubs.
• Do not pick at the crusts.
• Do not let the area dry out.
• Do not be out in the sun until cleared to wear sunscreen by Dr. Guy.
• Do not apply any products to the area other than those approved by Dr. Guy.
• Avoid using lotions elsewhere on the body during healing to prevent oils from spreading to the face.

Generally, the deeper the chemical peel penetrates the skin, the longer the healing time and the more effective the results. While a chemical peel can be a viable solution for most patients, it may not be the right treatment for everyone. Clients should speak with the team if any of the following scenarios apply to them:

• History of keloids or poor scarring
• Use of Accutane in the past 12 months
• History of sensitive skin or other conditions such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea, lupus, or other collagen disorders

Patients with some of these conditions should not undergo resurfacing other than superficial treatments.

For some, an issue with the skin is at the heart of their concerns with their appearance, prohibiting them from experiencing a higher quality of life. Dr. Guy and his team at Facial Plastic Surgery of Central Texas are committed to helping patients feel confident in their appearance by offering advanced cosmetic procedures, including chemical peels.

Specializing in facial plastic surgery services from the collarbone up, we provide patients across Central Texas with safe and effective treatments, eliminating the need to travel to bigger cities like Austin or Dallas. Contact us today to learn more about receiving a chemical peel from a board-certified plastic surgeon.